Tric-Trac Players

This 1667 painting of tric-trac players depicts a popular board game in a tavern setting. Tric-trac (backgammon) was widely played in Dutch taverns and provided subject matter that combined social interaction with implicit moral commentary on gambling and idleness. Steen worked in oil on panel and canvas with a warm, rich palette reflecting his training under Jan van Goyen and his admiration for Gerrit Dou. His workshop output, produced alongside careers as brewer and innkeeper, comprises aro...

The gaming scene demonstrates Steen's refined treatment of indoor activities, with careful attention to the board game, the players' expressions, and the warm tavern atmosphere.